New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-06-25
PRAYER ANSWERED. 4 TRUE STORY.
From The Albanu Journal.

On the summit of Washington mountain, overlook
hg the HousatOnic Valley, stood hut, the homo OF
John Barry, poor charcoal burner whose family
brought him in but a few dollars. and when cold
weather came ne had managed to get together only
small provision tor the winter This IAN after sum
his fires going. So when the snow OF December, 1874
fell and the drifts had shut on communication with
the village at the loot OF the mountain, John ana MS
Their entire stock OF food consisted of only few
mounds of salt pork and bushel OF potatoes sugar,
coffee -four and tea had, early in December, given
ont and the chances tor replenshng the larder were
slim indeed. The saow STORMS came again, and the
dritts deepened. All the roads. even In the valley,
were impass able and no one thought OF trying to
open the mountain highways, which even IN summer
were only occasionally travelled and none gave the
old man and his wife thought.
December Is came, and with it the heaviest fall of
snow experienced IN Berkshire County in many
years TIE TODD OF the olg couple was now reduced to
DAYS supply. but John did not yet despair He was
o Christian and GodfeariDg man, and HIS promises
were remembered, and so, when evening came, and
the northeast. gale Was blowing ana the hercs snow
stor was raging John and his wife were praying and
asking for help.
: In Sheffield Village ten miles away, lived Deacon
Brown, we'll to do farmer fifty years old, who was
noted for his pety and consistent department. both as
mao and Christian The deacon ana his wife had
gone to bed early and in spite Of the storm raging
Without were sleeping soundy, when with start the
Who's there p aWhy,n said bis wife, "no one is
here but you and me What Is the matter with ySa%
food to John y 9 Nonsense replied Mrs. Brown,
tTo to Sleep You have been dreaming" The deacon
minute i Soon he started up again. snd waxing hi.
ws said heard tses ssS m sgan Ssna
agreed with you Lie down and try and sleep" Again
the deacon closed his eyes, and again the voice was
heard Send food to john This time the dea0Sn
we know named John who needs food y q No enc
remember" replied Mrs. Brown, unless 1t be John
Barry. the old charcoal burner on the mountain"
ber Whe, was At the store in Sheffield the other day
CLARK, the merchant, speaking OF John Barry, said.
wonder il the old Is alive. for 1t is six weeks
since saw him, and he has not yet laid in bis winter
stock Of groceries, 1t must be old John is sick and
wanting food
dress himself. Come wife," said he, waken our
boy Willie and tell him to iced the horses and got
ready to 90 with me, ard do you pack mp 10 the Two
get u early breakfast, for going up the noun
Ssin to carry the food know John Barry needs"
her GOOD husjsUS and believing him to be always in
the right cheerfully complied, ad after hot break
fast Deacon Brow and his son Willie, boy OF nine
then, with months supply Of TODD, and Goodbye,
mother" started at O'Clock on that cold December
morning tor journey that almost any other THAI
Deacon Brown and bis son Willie would not have
The northeast storm was still raging and the snow
falling ana drifting fast. but on, on. went the stout
wellfed team its errand Of mercy, while the
pants the sleigh. strapped up in blankets and extra
butts robes urged the horses through the drifts and
ip thu face of the storm That ten miles ride which
required in the summer hardly an hour or two, was
not finished until the deacons watch showed that five
hours lad passed.
At last they drew up In front OF the hut whore the
poor trusting Christian man and woman were their
knees praying for help 10 Him who is the hearer
nn9 snsverer ct prayer" and the deacon reached
the door he heard the voice Of supplicaon and then
~ knew that tho message which awakened him from
sseP was scat iron Heaven He knocked at the doo.,
Wa opensd, and We csn imagine the joy OF the old
2oupe whom the generous supply OF food was carried
1i, ana the thanksP!vngs that were uttered by the
4taxving tenants Of that mountain hut